Suspension letters issued to more than 1,600 Simcoe Muskoka students with outdated immunization records
Hundreds of secondary students with outdated immunization records were sent school suspension letters from the health unit this week.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) announced it issued suspension orders to 1,623 students in Grades 11 and 12 due to missing or incomplete vaccination records, affidavits, or medical exemptions.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The action comes in accordance with the Immunization of Schools Pupils Act (ISPA), which mandates that public health units maintain accurate vaccine records for all students attending school.
SMDHU reports that 18,000 letters went out at the beginning of the year as a reminder to update immunization records.
"We started that process in January. We sent out additional letters in June, and then we sent out 9,000. So, 50 per cent either got caught up or were reported, so that was phenomenal and then on September 6, we sent out 4,300 suspension notices," said Deanna Thompson, SMDHU immunization program coordinator.
The health unit reports the latest data shows 84 per cent of Grade 11 and 12 students in Simcoe Muskoka have complete vaccination records, while 16 per cent are still outstanding.
Under the provisions of ISPA, public health units are required to enforce suspensions for students whose vaccination information is incomplete or missing to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases within the school environment.
"It's super important for all of our students to be up to date and protect them from diseases that are spreading," said Thompson. "It's a worldwide issue, and certainly within the last three to four years with the pandemic, many of these students missed these very important vaccines. So, we're in the process of catching them up."
Grade 11 and 12 students are required to receive nine vaccines, including tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and meningococcal, "which 2006 and 2007 need to have up to date for school," said Thompson.
Information on vaccination requirements, clinic locations, and scheduling is available on the SMDHU's website or by contacting the health unit directly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Evacuation orders lifted in Fort McMurray Saturday as rain dampens wildfire activity
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs abuse allegations: A timeline of key events
In the six months since singer Cassie filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs, a wave of similar cases and public allegations against one of the most influential music moguls of the past three decades have occurred.